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<p>So, the 'net-net' question is? Is it worth is to spend $13K/year more to go to Vanderbilt than to go to UGA Honors? Student will likely go to grad school and would end up with about $30K in loans at Vandy vs no debt at UGA (parents pick up room/board and free instate tuition). Also, option of Masters in 4 yrs @ UGA Honors due to AP credits. Really need an employer perspective on this. Thanks</p>
<p>Vanderbilt</p>
<p>Which graduate school? And what kind of masters at UGA would you be looking at?</p>
<p>rsxwheeee - i thought i had read you were headed to UGA? did you apply/accepted to vandy? what made you say vanderbilt</p>
<p>vig180 - idk - maybe cellular biology? too soon to tell - did you pursue that route or are you going elsewhere for grad/prof school? seems that graduating in 4 yrs with a masters from UGA honors would definitely be preferable to undergrad only from Vandy - what do you think? certainly cheaper! thanks btw - if you know the specific web address
that she might look at possible combined degrees from Ga that would be great - have searched the UGA site extensively and cant find it - only general info</p>
<p>cuz Vandy >>> UGA</p>
<p>and I’m not 100% on UGA yet. I’m trying to convince the parents to let me go to FSU, or if I win the lottery, I’m going to UMiami.</p>
<p>Here’s a decent overview of the BA/MA process contained in the application for the BA/MA program: <a href=“http://uga.edu/honors/handbook/BA-MA.pdf[/url]”>http://uga.edu/honors/handbook/BA-MA.pdf</a></p>
<p>The most common BA/MAs that I’ve heard of have been Ecology, English, Public Administration, Economics, and Religion, but it’s definitely possible to do them in other departments as well. I think in the sciences labwork matters more than coursework, but it’s certainly possible for people to start early- I know people who took grad courses as early as spring semester freshman year. </p>
<p>I just did a regular double-major BA, but I’m entering a top-10 PhD program next year with a full fellowship straight out of undergrad so while the MA helps it’s not a requirement either for some PhD programs. UGA has good life science programs and a lot of highly-regarded labs as well, including one of the few stem-cell research labs in the US. I know plenty of UGA students who started working in labs, doing experiments, winning Goldwater scholarships, etc. in their first and second years.</p>
<p>vig180- thanks for the info - are you a FF? We’ve met several and no doubt, their options seem to be endless. You must have had several great college choices as well -what made you decide on UGA Honors (if not the FF/Ramsey - which btw would have clinched the deal for us too). How did you escape the pressure to attend a more “prestigious” (I say that as a native Georgian and mean no offense) university? Would you choose UGA if you had a ‘do-over’? You must be swamped, so I really appreciate your time. Congrats on the PhD fellowship - that is incredible!</p>
<p>vig180-Sorry, I forgot you are a FF and posted that excellent thread on choosing a full ride state… (which btw has gotten a lot of attention) So, our situation is a little different financially:(</p>
<p>pumkin5,</p>
<p>S is battling the same problem as you right now. Only difference is that it is between Emory and UGA’s Honors. Both would offer outstanding educational opportunities but different lifestyles. And then there is that big money factor. How much debt can we afford to acuumulate if graduate or medical school is also in the future?? (we are not the federal government so we can’t just print money on demand, LOL)</p>
<p>As S contemplates all the different factors in making the final decision, I remind him of what a grad student once said to him. “It’s not about the first school you attend, it is about the last”. </p>
<p>No matter which school you finally decide on, you will have made an great choice. Congrats on all your hard work and good luck!</p>
<p>Pumpkin, yes, I am a FF, but I know plenty of “regular” Honors students going to great places next year for grad school (Harvard Law, Georgetown Med, Northwestern, Berkeley, etc.) so they’ve all had great opportunities as well, just less financial support from the university (but there are a good number of Honors-only study abroad and leadership scholarships available too for current Honors students as well as CURO research fellowships). It’s also fairly easy to get a low-stress job on campus at the library or doing clerical work in offices or even driving a bus, so if your student needs extra cash those options are always available.</p>